How did you first find out about bariatric surgery and what were your initial impressions of it?

Probably when I started to hear about different celebrities that had surgery. At first, I though it was very drastic.

What was your stay in the hospital like? How long where you there? What things are most important to bring?

My stay at the hospital was great. I had my surgery Monday morning, and I went home on Wednesday. The staff was very attentive. I had an epidural for pain which worked out well for me. No complaints.

Did you have any complications from the surgery? If so, how did you deal with them?

No complications from the surgery.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

I was both excited to finally be scheduled for surgery but I was also very nervous. Any surgery causes major anxiety. To cope with my anxiety I kept telling myself that I trusted my surgeon's ability and also I thought of all the surgeries performed on people every day who are in bad shape and survive....

Describe your first few weeks home from the hospital. What should people expect from this period?

The first week or so I was unable to sleep flat in my bed. I had to sleep in a recliner. This was o.k., but by the time I could sleep in bed again, I really needed it! I took my pain medicine on a regular basis (every 4 hours) for the first 10 days, so my pain never got out of control. It is a new experience to learn to eat after surgery....follow your surgeons directions to the letter.

How far did you travel to have your surgery? (If far, how did this affect your aftercare?)

The hospital where I had my surgery was about 15 miles from my house.

Please describe in detail what things you could and couldn't eat in the weeks and months following surgery. What foods have been off limits? Please explain how your dietary tolerance changed week-by-week, and then month-by-month since surgery.

I followed my surgeon's directions after surgery regarding my diet. I went from liquid to soft/pureed after week 1. I graduated to regular diet at about week 4-5. The first two months, as the operative site is healing it is swollen. You cannot tolerate much at all at one sitting. I had to be very careful. After things begin to heal inside, you can tolerate more with each meal. Candy, cookies, icecream....anything with sugar is off limits! Also, I tried to eat a very ripe banana once and got very sick (dumping). So, for me bananas are off limits. I am very careful to check food labels now to make sure there is no hidden sugar. Other than that, I can eat most anything. I do not eat a lot of bread, rice, pasta as they do overwhelm the pouch quickly. Some days I can eat more than others.

What was your actvity level in the days and weeks after surgery?

After surgery, my energy level was down due to the healing process and change in the diet. Now I have more energy than I have in years!

What vitamins and/or dietary supplements have you taken since your surgery?

I take 2 multi-vitamins with minerals. I take chewables. Also, I take at least 1 HMR protein shake daily.

What side effects (nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbace, dumping, hair loss etc.) were worse for you? For how long after surgery did they persist? How did you cope with them?

I did lose a lot of hair throughout the 4th and 5th month. But it is starting to grow back. Sometimes if I eat too fast, or don't chew well enough I get nauseous. I only had dumping once, after eating a very ripe banana. That is all it took!

What was the worst part about the entire bariatric surgery process?

Wondering if insurance would cover it.

What aftercare support group/program do you have? How helpful/important is this?

My surgeon has support group meeting scheduled monthly. I haven't gone to one yet! It seems I always have something going on the same evening. This month's is on nutrition...I plan to attend.

What is your scar like? Is this what you expected?

When I first say may scar, it was much longer than I expected--from right under the sternum to just below my belly button. It is also healing wider than I thought it would. I may have to have a correction.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I think I might be having my first plateau. This is month 7. I have lost 80 lbs.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, they do. I think I also act differently now too. More confident, happier....